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Updating playoff scenarios: Patriots still have a shot at bye

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. The Patriots won 23-16.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
(Photo by AP)

It wasn't a pretty victory by any means, but the Patriots outlasted the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday night and still have a shot at earning a first-round bye.

If things play out and the Patriots (11-4) manage to sneak back into one of the AFC's top spots, fans will owe Minnesota a big thank you since the Vikings were able to go into Houston and drop Texans Sunday afternoon.

That was, however, just the first step. The Patriots now need to beat Miami next week and hope that Houston (12-3) loses to Indianapolis or Denver (12-3) falls to the Kansas City Chiefs.

If both teams win next week, the Patriots will have to settle for the No. 3 seed. However, if New England loses and Baltimore beats the Bengals next week, the Pats would fall to the No. 4 seed.

As it stands now, New England would host the Bengals in the first round.